2016 Hyundai Tucson Crossover Arrives in New York

After revealing a completely redesigned 2016 Hyundai Tucson at the Geneva auto show earlier this year, Hyundai is now showing the U.S.-spec version of this compact crossover at the New York auto show.

Changes from the European-market car are minimal, so the 2016 Tucson we’ll see on American shores displays the same, more athletic exterior styling that’s part of Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language. Its overall footprint is similar to the outgoing Tucson, and overhangs are shorter thanks to a 1-inch longer wheelbase that pushes the wheels closer to the corners. The result is a much better-proportioned compact crossover compared with the awkwardly styled outgoing Tucson.

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson’s base engine essentially carries over from last year and remains a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder with 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The big news for the lineup is the newly available 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch from the Hyundai Sonata Eco. This engine, offered on Eco, Sport, and Limited trim levels, makes an estimated 175 hp and 195 lb-ft and provides an estimated 29 mpg combined, a 5-mpg boost over the last Tucson’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Both powertrains can be paired with either front- or all-wheel drive.

The Tucson’s redone interior looks significantly more upscale, with a clean dashboard that’s reminiscent of that in the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan. Newly available features abound, including ventilated front seats, a power tailgate, heated rear seats, and smartphone app integration for services like Pandora and Yelp. Hyundai is also upping the Tucson’s active-safety game, as the new crossover offers blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-change assist. A backup camera is standard on all models.

After its official debut at the New York auto show, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson will reach Hyundai dealers starting in July 2015. Until then, stay tuned for pricing and official fuel economy data for the redesigned crossover.